Government Funding Announced for New Professional Security Operative Apprenticeship
Last week the Private Security Industry Trailblazer Group has announced government funding approval of the new, level 2 Professional Security Operative apprenticeship.
Supported by the Security Industry Authority, the new apprenticeship has been approved by government through the Education and Skills Funding Agency, and provides a route for those wanting to work in the private security industry and for those in current employment wishing to progress. The apprenticeship will provide funded opportunities for professional training in core security skills, and allow employees to choose the following specialisms:
- Operational Security Operative
- Cash and Valuables in Transit
- Mobile Security Patrol
- Security Control Room Operative
The Professional Security Operative apprenticeship is available in the UK. In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, employers seeking to access funding should approach their local apprenticeship funding body. Apprenticeship Levy payers in England – i.e. those employers in the private or public sector with an annual wage bill of more than £3 million – will, for the first time, be able to use their levy to pay for high-quality training for their private security operatives.
Mark Williams, Security Operations Manager, Parliamentary Security Department and Chair of the Trailblazer Group responsible for developing the apprenticeship said:
“I am really pleased that the hard work of employers and others has paid off. This is a major step forward for the industry. This apprenticeship will address some of the workforce issues that we have, by helping to attract new talent to the industry, as well as retaining and developing existing staff. I am extremely proud of the hard work, tenacity and collaboration shown by the group to achieve this step forward to help professionalise the industry.”
Read the full story in Security Matters magazine
More information about the Professional Security Operative Apprenticeship
Employers wanting to find out about apprenticeships visit Hire an Apprentice
Note: enrolments on this apprenticeship will only be possible once a suitable end-point assessment organisation has given an ‘in principle’ commitment to the Education and Skills Funding Agency to deliver assessments on this new Level 2 apprenticeship standard.